Ohio’s Cooper Farms begins expansion at cooked meats plant

VAN WERT, OHIO– Cooper Farms has begun construction on the first phase of a 50,000 square foot expansion at their Cooked Meats Plant.

Gary Cooper, chief operating officer, said the additional 50,000 square feet will be used for up to six new high speed deli meat slicing lines and eventually employ about 150 additional team members.

The company now employs more than 1,400 people.

Once completed, this addition will essentially operate as a stand-alone plant.

The first phase of construction, set to be complete June 1, will encompass 6,000 square feet of the expansion.

The second phase will provide room for three more lines to be added as volume increases. Also included in the second phase is a new break and locker room area. This phase of the addition is set to be completed by fall of 2010.